Chapter 27: Something About Her

Grace jumped at Zach’s voice, then her eyes narrowed. He wasn’t welcome here. Dusk was settling all around them. The park goers had long left the swings still. No children laughed or screamed. The park was ready to go to sleep.
“Fine.”
She didn’t move to leave him so he sat next to her. She wore running shorts and a t-shirt damp with sweat.
“You run?”
She nodded still staring at her cell phone.
“Does it do tricks?”
“What?” She glanced at him.
“Your cell phone. You’re staring at it as if you expect it to come alive,” he said.
She tucked it back into her case on her shorts. “No. Just expecting someone to call back.”
“A lover?”
He didn’t know why he asked. Something about her attracted him. Despite her crazy notions and the fact that he didn’t like what he’d seen in her past, he wanted to know her better. That made no sense to his rational side.
Then he remembered that Dolores’ was carrying his baby. What did he owe her? She didn’t really want him back.
For now he’d just enjoy the company of the woman on the bench.
“No, but you made it clear you weren’t interested.”
“So did you.”
She chuckled. “I just said I didn’t make up the story about Dolores being in danger to get close to you. I really believe she’s in danger.”
He looked deep into her sea green eyes and knew she was telling the truth. At least as she saw it. “From whom?”
“Don’t know, but I think it’s the father of her baby.”
“Don’t go near my boss. He’s a respectable man.”
“You’d be surprised what respectable men can get up to.”
“Not Kent Winger. He wouldn’t. He loves his wife. Oh they had a bad patch, but they’re back together.”
“Men can be seduced.”
“You seem pretty confident in that.”
She frowned and looked ahead. “Not personally or at least I’ve never done it.”
He mulled that over and decided she probably hadn’t. But he’d bet someone had seduced an ex-boyfriend. The hurt in her eyes spoke volumes. “So what’s with the phone call?”
“A friend called me drunk.”
“They do that sometimes. She just get dumped?’
“He and I don’t think so. He doesn’t drink usually and to hear him drunk worries me.”
Especially because she knew he was probably in town. The why of his presence she could not figure.
“Is he close by?”
“I’m not sure. His phone went dead at the end of the conversation and he hasn’t answered me yet.”
“Call the police out there.”
“I don’t know where he lives. He moves around a lot.”
“Doesn’t sound like a steady friend.”
Zach knew he’d be on the internet looking into this guy when he got home.
“Oh, he is. Or at least has been in the past.”
“And now?”
“Now, I’m not so sure.” She took in a deep breath raising up her shoulders. Her shirt lifted up from her belly to hint at what was underneath. He looked away enjoying the sight too much.
Who was this stranger, this woman who had somehow wheedled her way into his thoughts? What was it about her that was different? Maybe because she wasn’t hanging all over him because he was a cop.
Grace stood. “I’ve gotta go.”
Before he could say anything, she strode away from him.
He caught up to her before the parking lot. “Let me walk you to your car.”
“Not a safe place?”
“Too many hiding places.”
She said, “Goodbye,” when she slid into her car. Zach didn’t press, just let her go.
***
Celia was sitting in his car when Zach turned to open the door. Her uncanny abilities always unnerved him.
“She’s the one, Zach.”
“You said that about Dolores.”
He started the car.
“No, I didn’t. I said you’d marry her.”
“Isn’t that the same thing?”
Her head shook, sending hercurls dancing around her head. “No, it didn’t stick. This Grace is the one. And she has powers.”
Zach closed his eyes for a moment counting to ten. His sister could try his patience. “Stop. Please. Can I drop you home?”
She frowned. “Sure.”
He put the car into gear wondering when this woman would ever get a life.
***
Mark appeared on her doorstep at three in the morning. Grace wasn’t asleep anyway. The clock was ticking, with less than twenty four hours until her birthday. Not even a full day until she’d lose her powers and Dolores was gone for good. The loss had sent her mother into a bottle then into a wall at ninety miles an hour.
Grace shuddered thinking that she wanted to be done with these powers, but only if she could save her landlord first.
This time Dolores must have called the police. And Mark didn’t run.
He staggered. Grace heard him coming down the driveway. He was singing. The police car pulled in illuminating her friend as she stared out the window.
Her robe thrown on, she raced down the steps to catch him before he fell or got arrested.
“Mark. What are you doing here?”
The officer moved to help her with the drunk. “Is everything okay, ma’am?”
“I think my friend had too much to drink. Could you help me get him upstairs?”
“Sure.”
Mark grabbed her face. “Gracie, Gracie, Gracie. You just don’t know what’s going on.”
She almost passed out from his breath. She and the cop managed to get him upstairs and in her bed. He kept singing.
Obviously reassured she had a handle on the situation, the police officer left without taking a report. A light burned in Dolores’ so Grace called to apologize. Dolores sounded odd, but she didn’t say anything to make Grace check on her.
Mark became silent. “Butterfly effect, Gracie.”